Dublin City Council has today officially launched its largest-ever Dublin City Council SportsFest programme, celebrating 10 years of promoting sport, physical activity and community wellbeing throughout the city.
The launch was attended by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), and Olympic champion and Dublin City Council Sports Ambassador Kellie Harrington.
To mark this important milestone, Dublin City Council's Sports & Recreation Section, in partnership with the Central Area Office and TU Dublin, will host its first-ever free family sports day at the TU Dublin Grangegorman Sports Campus on Saturday, 26 September 2026, from 12pm to 5pm. The event will form a major part of Dublin City Council SportsFest 2026.
Launching the programme, Lord Mayor Daryl Barron said that SportsFest had become one of Dublin's most successful initiatives for encouraging health, wellbeing and community participation.
“Over the past decade, it has encouraged people of all ages and abilities to get involved in sport, try new activities and connect with their local communities,” he said. “The introduction of a free family sports day at Grangegorman is a fantastic addition to the programme. I would encourage everyone to come along, get active, meet local clubs and organisations, and enjoy what promises to be a fun, welcoming and inclusive day for all.”
Now in its tenth year, Dublin City Council SportsFest has evolved from a series of local initiatives into a major citywide celebration of sport and recreation. The programme creates opportunities for people and communities across Dublin to become more active, discover new sports and enjoy the benefits of healthier lifestyles.
This year's SportsFest is the biggest programme to date. With TU Dublin opening up its state-of-the-art sports facilities at the Grangegorman campus, Dublin City Council will be able to showcase its extensive network of sports facilities, parks, programmes and community coaching initiatives in one central location.
Visitors can look forward to a packed programme of free sporting activities, demonstrations and family entertainment. Participants will have the opportunity to try a wide range of activities, including NFL football, basketball, GAA, soccer, rugby and athletics, as well as rock climbing, boxing, parkour, ultimate frisbee and tug-of-war.
The day will also feature dance workshops, fitness classes and yoga sessions, ensuring there is something for people of all ages and interests. Dedicated activities will be available for neurodiverse participants and older adults, while free face painting will add to the family-friendly atmosphere. A Sensory Bus will also be on site, underlining Dublin City Council's commitment to making sport and recreation accessible, inclusive and welcoming to everyone.
The event forms part of Dublin's contribution to the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign, which encourages people across Europe to embrace more active lifestyles. Representatives from the European Commission will also attend, highlighting the shared importance of physical activity, inclusion and community participation at both local and European level.
